From Adeko Ukpa

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has strongly condemned the arrest of activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing it as a “national disgrace” and a dangerous assault on democracy.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed Sowore’s motion seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias, and adjourned the motion for stay of execution till June 24.

Frank, in a statement on Tuesday, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, insisting that the activist had committed no offence warranting arrest or detention.

He alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and part of a broader agenda by the Federal Government to intimidate opposition figures, journalists, civil society actors and critics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the continued deployment of security agencies against dissenting voices is a clear indication that the government is becoming increasingly intolerant of criticism and democratic opposition.

“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore is a disgrace and a show of shame by the DSS. It is nothing but political victimisation and a desperate attempt to intimidate opposition leaders and silence voices of dissent in the country,” Frank said.

He maintained that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where citizens are guaranteed the right to freedom of expression, stressing that criticising government policies and actions does not constitute a crime.

“Sowore has not committed any offence. He merely exercised his constitutional right to speak on issues affecting Nigerians. If the government disagrees with his views, it should respond with facts and good governance, not harassment and intimidation,” he stated.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, argued that many of the issues raised by critics, including insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance, are realities confronting ordinary Nigerians daily.

“Is it not true that insecurity has worsened? Are Nigerians not facing unprecedented hardship? Why then should anyone be arrested for speaking the truth about the state of the nation?” he asked.

The political activist warned that no amount of intimidation, arrests or blackmail would prevent Nigerians from demanding accountability from those in power.

“No amount of intimidation by the DSS, the police or any other security agency will stop Nigerians from exercising their democratic rights. No amount of harassment will stop citizens from speaking against incompetence, failure and bad governance,” he declared.

Frank also questioned the priorities of the DSS, noting that while bandits and terrorists continue to threaten lives and communities across the country, security agencies appear more focused on pursuing critics of government.

“It is unfortunate that the DSS seems more interested in going after opposition figures than confronting the bandits and terrorists terrorising innocent Nigerians. This arrest is clearly politically motivated,” he said.

He further criticised the judiciary, urging judges to resist any attempt to use the courts as instruments of political persecution.

He said: “The judiciary must be careful not to allow itself to be used to undermine democracy. Nigerians are watching and history will judge every institution by the role it plays at this critical moment.”

Calling on the international community, particularly the United States and other democratic nations, to pay close attention to developments in Nigeria, Frank expressed concern over what he described as shrinking democratic space and growing intolerance of opposing views.

“The international community must not remain silent while activists, journalists and opposition leaders are subjected to intimidation and persecution. Democracy thrives on freedom of expression and respect for fundamental rights,” he insisted.

He reiterated his demand for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release and urged security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan.

“The DSS must stay out of politics and focus on its constitutional responsibility of protecting national security. Omoyele Sowore must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Frank said.

From Adeko Ukpa

Rotary International President-Elect, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, has challenged Rotarians across the world to intensify membership growth and retention efforts, setting an ambitious target of 1.25 million Rotarians and 125,000 Rotaractors globally by 2030.

Babalola issued the charge while outlining his vision for the organisation, urging members to surpass previous achievements and strengthen Rotary’s capacity to create lasting impact in communities.

“As Larry said, we have a goal of 1.25 million Rotarians and 125,000 Rotaractors by 2030. Each new member represents a person who has not yet had their Rotary story. They are out there. And they are waiting for us to welcome them,” he said.

The incoming Rotary International President challenged clubs to exceed their historical performance in membership recruitment and retention.

“So here is my challenge to you: Look back at the last five to seven years in your club. Find your best year for membership growth and retention. Then do better than your best,” he declared.

CAPTION: L-R: The Incoming Rotary International President, Yinka Hakeem Babalola; the outgoing Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo; and the Rotary International President Nominee, Larry A. Lunsfor at a Meet-The- President session during the RI Convention Taipei, Taiwan

Babalola described Rotary as a transformative movement that changes lives through service, fellowship and leadership, urging members to share their personal experiences to attract new generations into the organisation.

“Every Rotary member has a story, a moment when fellowship and service stopped being what you did and became who you are,” he said.

“I want us to tell more stories about how Rotary has changed each and every one of us. Because when we do, we show the world that Rotary is more than a service organisation. It is a transformative experience.”

Drawing from his personal journey of more than 40 years in Rotary, Babalola recounted how a literacy project he participated in as a young Rotaractor shaped his lifelong commitment to service.

“My club took on a literacy project when I was a young Rotaractor. We were helping adults in my community learn to read and write. During that project, I watched a woman hold a piece of paper and read her own name for the first time.

“That moment redirected me. I was not simply a young man with opportunities anymore. I was a young man with a responsibility to extend those opportunities to others,” he said.

Babalola unveiled “Create Lasting Impact” as the theme that will guide his presidency, stressing that Rotary must focus on sustainable change rather than short-term achievements.

“In Rotary, we give members a place to belong. We help keep students in school. We organise vaccination campaigns that protect children. These results are real, and they matter deeply. But to create lasting impact asks a harder question: What happens next?” he said.

According to him, Rotary’s future growth must be anchored on meaningful service, peacebuilding and community transformation.

“Peace must be deliberately pursued. It must be built into the design of what we do, not assumed as a by-product,” he stated.

He cited Rotary’s peacebuilding efforts in Colombia as an example of how the organisation is helping communities recover from conflict through leadership development, economic empowerment and reconciliation initiatives.

Babalola also paid tribute to past Rotary leaders, particularly his late friend and mentor, SangKoo Yun, whose philosophy of leadership as “one link in a strong, unbroken chain” he said continues to inspire the organisation.

“Together, we are an unbroken chain, and to grow, we must forge new links in that chain,” he said.

As he prepares to assume office, Babalola called on Rotarians worldwide to seize the opportunity to expand Rotary’s reach and deepen its impact.

“This year is our turn to forge the next link in that chain. Our turn to be changed by Rotary. To build the future we wish to see. To pursue peace deliberately. To Create Lasting Impact — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves,” he said.

…Judge rejects whistleblower claim, awards N250,000 costs against former official

From Adeko Ukpa

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has upheld the dismissal of a former Deputy Director in the Finance Department of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr. Yisa Usman, ruling that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct and willful disobedience of constituted authority.

Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, in a judgment delivered on June 2, 2026, dismissed Usman’s suit challenging his July 2023 dismissal and held that his actions had eroded the confidence reposed in him by his employer.

Usman had approached the court seeking an order nullifying his dismissal, arguing, among other claims, that he was denied fair hearing and that the Minister of Education lacked the authority to approve his removal in the absence of a governing board for JAMB.

However, the court found no merit in his claims.

In the Certified True Copy of the judgment in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/266/2023, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae held that the claimant deliberately disobeyed constituted authority and failed to avail himself of opportunities provided by JAMB to defend himself before disciplinary authorities.

“From the totality of the evidence adduced, I find that the conduct of the claimant is grave and weighty. He willfully disobeyed constituted authority. This eroded and undermined the confidence reposed in him by the defendant to carry out his duties,” the judge ruled.

The court also dismissed Usman’s contention that he was denied fair hearing before his dismissal.

Justice Obaseki-Osaghae held that the former deputy director was issued queries over allegations of misconduct, responded to them in writing and was subsequently invited to appear before the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee.

According to the court, he declined to honour the invitation despite being given adequate notice.

Relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Imonikhe v. Unity Bank Plc, the judge held that the requirements of fair hearing had been met.

“The claimant was issued with queries on misconduct, and by his own evidence he gave detailed responses in writing to the queries.

“The defendant was not satisfied with his response and invited him to appear before the committee. The claimant was given four days to appear before the committee. By his own choice, he refused to appear before the disciplinary committee.

“Fair hearing is simply ‘hear the other side’. I find that the claimant was given a fair hearing in the issuance of queries, in the consideration of his responses, and in the invitation to appear before the disciplinary committee,” the court held.

On the issue of the Minister of Education’s authority to approve the dismissal, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae ruled that the minister acted within the powers conferred by the JAMB Act.

The judge noted that Usman had previously benefited from a ministerial approval when he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Director in 2017 and could not now challenge the same authority.

“In the absence of a governing board, the management seeks directives and approvals from the ministry. Evidence of this can be seen in the approval by the Honourable Minister of the claimant’s promotion to the position of Deputy Director with effect from January 1, 2017.

“He did not complain that the minister had no powers to approve his promotion then; how can the claimant now challenge the approval given by the minister for his dismissal?

“The power of the minister to approve the dismissal of the claimant from the service of the defendant is statutory and contained in Section 6 of the JAMB Act. The authority of the minister to approve the claimant’s dismissal in the absence of the governing board is valid and within his supervisory powers to direct the defendant board,” she ruled.

The court further rejected Usman’s claim that he was victimised for whistleblowing activities and petitions he had written against the JAMB Registrar and the Board.

Justice Obaseki-Osaghae held that the reasons cited in the dismissal letter were strictly related to allegations of serious misconduct and his refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee.

“The reasons stated by the defendant for the claimant’s dismissal are his responses to allegations of serious misconduct and his refusal to appear before the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee.

“The claimant’s decision not to appear at the disciplinary hearing was his own choice. The reasons stated in the dismissal letter are unrelated to his whistleblowing activities,” the judge said.

The court observed that the numerous petitions and complaints submitted by Usman to the Federal Ministry of Education, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), other anti-corruption agencies and human rights organisations were investigated and found to be unfounded.

According to the judgment, Usman himself admitted that the JAMB Registrar was cleared of all allegations.

“By the claimant’s own admission in paragraph 23 of his additional deposition, the Registrar was exonerated from all the allegations and given a clean bill of health, and by extension the Board,” the judge noted.

The court also observed that after his dismissal, Usman was charged to court by the police in January 2024.

Having resolved all issues in favour of JAMB, the court dismissed the suit and awarded costs of N250,000 against Usman in favour of the examination body.